Albert Davey

Contents

History

Albert Davey was born in Ballarat, Victoria, in 1885, and he married Margaret Smyllie in 1913.He was a miner when he enlisted.[1]
According to his enlistment record, he was 5 foot 5 1/4 inches tall, weighed 10 stone and had a dark complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair.[2]
His death notice in the Ballarat Courier on the 19th November, 1918 said that he fought on active service for one year and 9 months, and he was the devoted husband of Maggie Davey.[3]

Military Experience

Albert Davey (5518) enlisted for service on the 15th April 1916. He was 31 years and 9 months, and his occupation was miner. His next of kin was his wife Margaret Davey of Durham Street,Ballarat West. He also signed to give his wife and child 4/5 of his pay.[4]

Albert was firstly at the Ballarat Camp, and moved to the Miners Reinforcement Camp at Seymour on 8th June 1916.[5]

His unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT Ulysses on 25 October 1916
His rank from the Nominal Roll was that of Corporal.[6]

They disembarked at Plymouth, England on the 28th December, and marched to the Australian Details Camp at Perham Downs on the 29th December 1916. He then went to France on the 26th January and on the 10th February, he was attached to the 1st Tunnelling Company.
He had the mumps betwen 21st April and the 6th May 1917. He had some leave from the 28th September to the 18th October 1918. He was part of the push against the Hindenberg Line, where his section was given the task of erecting a vital bridge.[7]

After having leave from the 29th September to the 18th October, Albert Davey was Killed in Action on the push for the Hindenberg line on the 4th November 1918.[8]
His place of burial is Le Rejet-de-Beaulieu Communal Cemetery (Row A, Grave 3), France
Panel number, Roll of Honour,Australian War Memorial 26

Davy was killed by a German shell as the attack began. Barrett and Johnson also died. They were the last Australian soldiers killed in action in the "war to end all wars", though many more died later of wounds.[9]

Other links

Can you assist this project by supplying photos or more information on Albert Davey? We are looking for copies of photographs and memorabilia relating to tunnellers from the Ballarat Electorate. If you can help, please drop us a line:
miningmudandmedals@gmail.com